Media Practice Test- Front cover of ‘Macworld’ magazine

The purpose of the front cover of the ‘Macworld’ magazine is to persuade is audience to buy the magazine.

To appeal and persuade its target audience, Mac users, to buy the magazine, the front cover uses advertising techniques. One technique used is having flattering words such as ‘exclusive’, which is in capitals and positioned in the top left hand corner of the front cover. The word ‘exclusive’ sends the message to the audience that this magazine is unique and that on one else as the same things as they have. Also words such as ‘exclusive’ are usually seen in gossip magazines such as ‘ok’ or ‘Heat’. The word ‘exclusive’ acts as a unique selling point for the magazine. Alongside the word ‘exclusive’ is a question asking the audience ‘how reliable is your Mac?’ By asking this question, it makes the audience think, in turn making them buy the magazine to order to find out. The masthead is in large bold black font against a white background making the magazine stand out against the others and attracting its audience. In addition, the word ‘Experts’ in the line ‘the Mac Experts’, positioned below the letter ‘D’ of the title, sends the message to the audience that the advice given in the magazine is good advice and reliable as its provided by ‘experts’.

The front cover also gives the onlooker an insight into what the magazine has inside. From the front cover, it shows that the magazine has advice and tips on products involving technology. As technology is advancing within society many new products and gadgets are released on a regular basis. When it comes to buying a product or how to use a product people are always looking for advice on what the best products to buy and what new interesting features the product has. The image of the apple is a logo for the technology brand ‘Apple’. Apple is a large technology company, well know for its iPods, and are rivals of Microsoft. The word ‘TV’ alongside the ‘Apple’ logo indicates that ‘Apple TV’ is available in stores. The large image of an ‘Apple TV’ further reinforces this. Furthermore, by having a glossy cover, the magazine is made to look more professional and sophisticated, whilst the ‘Apple TV’ is made to look attractive and flash. The cover bullets down ‘Everything you need to know’ about the ‘Apple TV’. By using bullet points, it breaks down the information into short and simple points which is persuasive to the onlooker, whereas a longer piece of text would put a person off. In addition, the onlooker will only look at the cover quickly, so by bulleting the points, the magazine can get its point across quickly.

‘7 spam killers’ is positioned in large, bold font at the bottom left hand side of the cover. ‘Spam’ is another term for junk mail. It is always something many people complain about as it clogs up your e-mail space. By emphasising the number ‘7’ it shows the audience that the magazine has more than one solution to solving the problem. In addition, the word ‘Killer’ illustrates that they are solutions which will stop spam completely.

Print magazines are a dying form of media. The arrival of the internet has seen the decline of print texts. Recently, in September 2007, the ‘TV Hits’ magazine went web only as the magazine company realised that they would be more successful if they were to use the internet. Magazines are also using the internet as a way of expanding there brand, so many magazines now have their website on the front cover such as Macworld’ magazine, which has a website under the title. The website has also been made to stand out by having a large font. Also the internet has become successful as it is easily accessible and its information is always up to date immediately, whereas for example, newspapers cannot discuss ‘the news on the day’ until the next day, although now newspapers also have websites. This also reflects how society is fast as we want to find out the latest news immediately.

To conclude, the ‘Macworld’ magazine uses advertising techniques on the front cover to attract its audience. The magazine is also informing, educating and advising its audience about the latest technology such as the ‘Apple TV’. In addition, the use if a white background also sends the message to the audience that the magazine is simple, easy and plain to understand.

'Social networking to get even bigger'

The social networking phenomenon is set to intensify this year with the launch of new specialist communities and the further commercialisation of services, according to a report from analysts at Experian.

Social networking sites such as Hi5, MySpace, Bebo, FaceBoook etc. having already shown to be very popular, particularly with teenagers post up there personal details. Now the report shows that companies are about to 'tap into' this area as businesses are realising that this may be a good way for researching their market.

A topic relating to social networking was shown recently on BBC Panaroma, but it was about the issues of social networking sites being dangerous. Strangers are able to look at someones personal details and find out things such as there name, where they live and who there friends are etc. It is also shown no too long ago that it can also affect chances of getting a job. The best advice tip given on the show was that usually kids have there computer in there rooms, and so naturally feel safe, however they are not, so the best advice that was given was to have the computer somewhere where parents can see such as the living room.

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/15/facebook.myspace

Media Practice Test 3- DVD cover analysis- ‘Planet Earth’

The purpose of the ‘Planet Earth’ DVD cover is to persuade its audience to buy the DVD.

‘Planet Earth’ is an award winning natural history documentary series broadcasted by the BBC in March 2006. The title ‘Planet Earth’ along with the image of the Planet Earth illustrates to the audience, who would be people interested in wildlife, nature and the environment, that the documentary is about the earth, nature and wildlife. We also know that the documentary is about wildlife through the images of animals including elephants and a large heard of animals. Also, as both animals are trekking across the earth, it illustrates to the audience that the show treks across the earth and shows the planet’s wildlife. By having no images of humans or cities as part of the image of the Earth furthermore shows that the documentary is focusing on the nature and wildlife aspect of planet earth. The large image of the ‘Planet Earth’ also dominates the cover of the DVD and this represents the Earth as being large and full of life. In addition, by having the colour black against the title connotes mystery and the unknown of ‘Planet Earth’.
Positioned below the title is the phrase ‘as you’ve never seen it before’. Natural History documentaries have been produced and broadcasted for centuries. Conventions of wildlife documentaries include a variety of long, medium and close up shots, a narrator who guides the audience through what they see and explaining things such as an animal’s behaviour. Other conventions include a mix of parallel music and natural sounds of the animals and the wildlife. By saying ‘as you’ve never seen it before’, it sends the message to the audience that although you may have seen many wildlife documentaries in the past, this documentary is different, it’s unique, however, at the same time it can also send the message that all we see around us is buildings and cars, but there is more out there in to see and it’s a side of the Earth you don’t see. The phrase is also acts as a unique selling point for the DVD. Whilst the word ‘you’ve’ shows that it’s directed towards the onlooker.

Sir David Attenborough narrates the documentary. David Attenborough is renowned as ‘the voice of nature’ as his voice is identified through nature and the genre. This in turn may also persuade audience to buy the DVD as Attenborough is the narrator. Attenborough has also presented and narrated many other success BBC wildlife documentaries such as ‘The Life of Mammals’, ‘Life in the Undergrowth’, Life of Birds’ (part of the “Life” series),’Natural World’, ‘the Blue Planet’ and many others. In addition, Attenborough recently confirmed on a Parkinson episode in 2007 that his last ever wildlife documentary series ‘Life in Cold Blood’ is in post production and will be broadcasted n 2008.

The documentary was a series shown on the BBC. The words ‘the complete series’ shows that not only does the DVD feature all the episodes of the wildlife series but also that by being ‘completed’ it means that the series has finished and that buying the DVD is the only way to watch it. However TV channels such as UKTV History have broadcasted the show on several occasions. The series comes with ‘5 discs’ as stated in the bottom left hand corner of the cover. There are 11 episodes in total with each covering an aspect of Planet Earth. Episodes included were ‘From Pole to Pole’, ‘Mountains’, ‘Desserts’, ‘Shallow Seas’, Caves’, Great Plains’, ‘ice worlds’ and four others. Also as this is a DVD, this means that the show has been broadcasted before on TV and therefore members of the audience may have already been seen the documentary and may want to have the complete series.

The BBC, a public service broadcaster, is the institution who both broadcasted the series on BBC TV and selling the DVD. Being public serviced means that its shows have to entertain, inform and educate its audiences, whereas as other channels such as ITV1 are funded through advertising and therefore have no restrictions as the BBC has. Planet Earth entertains its audience through showing stunning and spectacular wildlife scenes such as a Lions successfully hunting an Elephant as shown in the episode ‘Great Plains’. Over recent years global warming has become a serious issue with topics such as ice caps melting, sea levels rising and how humans are over using resources and damaging the planet through things such as deforestation. By showing spectacular wildlife and portraying the Earth as being beautiful and full of life, it is also subconsciously informing the audience that our planet has beautiful wildlife and nature and that its worth saving, One episode ‘ice worlds’ discusses how the Polar Bear, the largest land carnivore, will become extinct as its habitat has been destroyed.

Technology is advancing. BBC Planet Earth was the first ever show to be broadcasted in HD (High-Definition_ format. This reflects how technology is advancing as the quality of the sound and sharpness of the image continues to become better. Also this can be another selling point for the DVD to audience.

To conclude, Planet Earth is a BAFTA award winning wildlife documentary series broadcasted by the BBC. The show goes through our Planet and explores its different environments and its animals. Finally, the image of the Earth on the cover has a horizon instead of a map of the planet Earth and this illustrates to the audience that there’s a lot of the Earth to explore.

Media practice Test 2- ‘Alvin and the Chipmunk’ (2007) Film Poster

• Analysis of ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ (2007) film poster.

The purpose of the ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ (2007) film poster is to promote the release of the film at Christmas.
Representation of youth is illustrated through the chipmunks. ‘Alvin’ being in front of Simon and Theodore, it demonstrates to the audience that Alvin in the leader of the group. However by also having his name in big, large bold red font as part of the film title, it shows his importance in the film and being the main character, whilst the words ‘and the Chipmunks’ further emphasises this as it is not referring specifically to the others but just saying ‘and the chipmunks’. Alvin in particular represents youths through wearing a hoodie. Hoodies are stereotypically associated also clothing particularly worn by youths. By wearing a hoodie, it shows that the films target audience are kids as it is using dressing as way of identifying with there audience. By wearing a hoodie, it shows that the films target audience are kids as it is using aspects of the mise-en-scene, in this case what the characters are wearing, as way of identifying with there audience. Also by Alvin wearing red, this connotes trouble and danger to the audience which is further reinforced by the catchphrase ‘here comes trouble’. The word trouble connotes mischief, naughty. Where there is trouble, there is usually an authoritive figure, such as the police. In the poster, the man, who plays the character Dave, is demonstrated as the authoritive figure as he is larger than the chipmunks and is also positioned above them. However his authoritive power can be challenged as the ‘surprised’ and ‘worry’ facial expression on his face illustrates that he maybe surprised by how three little chipmunks can cause so much trouble and are hard to keep an eye on.

The film is based on the cartoon series titled ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’. By being based on a cartoon series, kids and other audience members who may have watched the cartoon may also be people who are interested in watching the film. This in turn also means that the audience know the characters and what ideas and themes will be involved in the film. Alvin and the Chipmunks are three musical chipmunks who not only can talk but sing as they are a band group. The chipmunks are famous for there high pitch squeaky voices. Alvin, in red, is the band leader who is adventurous, brave and gets into trouble. Simon, in blue, is the intelligent chipmunk whilst Theodore, in green, is a small plump chipmunk who is seen as the innocent one. The words ‘there back’ demonstrates that after a long absence they are back, whilst the words ‘bigger than ever’ send the audience the message that they are going to be up to twice as much trouble and mischief than ever before.

The film is a hybrid genre as the poster suggests that the film has different types of genre blended together. The genre of comedy is illustrated through the chipmunks smile and Dave’s surprise and worried facial expression. Action and adventure are connoted through the idea of ‘trouble’, whilst animation is also evident as the characters themselves are CGI animated.
By the characters being CGI animated, it demonstrates both the development of technology and the animation genre. In the past animation was hand drawn until the introduction of CGI. From the first ever fully computer generated animation film Walt Disney’s Pixar ‘Toy Story’ (1995), animation has become a hugely popular genre. Only in June of this year (2007), ‘Shrek the Third’ (2007) was released and broke box office records by having the third highest intake for an opening weekend intake in

film history ($122 million). CGI has also been used to bring Alvin and the Chipmunks to life.
The film will be released at Christmas. As during this time, kids will have there Christmas holidays and by the film being during a holiday period, the film will be hoping for larger audiences. Also the film can use its popularity to draw in audiences.

To conclude, ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ film poster is used to promote the film and by being released at Christmas, the film will be hoping for large audiences as it is during a holiday period where kids, the films target audience, will be available to come and watch the film.

Media Practice Test 1- ‘TV Choice’ front cover

• Analysis of 'TV Choice' front cover '22 Dec 2007-4 Jan 2008, Issue 52/01'.

The purpose of the front cover of the ‘TV choice’ magazine is to persuade its audience to buy the magazine.

BBC’s ‘Eastenders’ characters, Stacey and Bradley are the dominant image of the front cover. As characters, they are a young married couple who are about to have there first Christmas together, however those of the audience who watch ‘Eastenders’, who are also people who would purchase the magazine, are aware that over the past year Stacey was having an affair with her husbands dad, Max. A typical convention of soaps is a plot involving an affair and as always the affair has to be revealed at one point, which in this case is Christmas. The use of Stacey and Bradley both wearing red connotes the love for each other but also the danger that lays ahead for the young couple. Also by being the young, it also reflects the audience who watch the soap and would buy the magazine being teenagers and young adults. By Stacey holding presents it represents the surprise Bradley will receive at Christmas (Stacey’s affair with Max). Furthermore, presents are one of many iconic images of Christmas. The question ‘A magical Christmas for Stacey and Bradley?’, which is positioned at the bottom of the front cover, is used by the magazine as a persuasive technique for the audience to buy the magazine in order to find out whether Stacey and Bradley will have a Merry Christmas. An active audience would be persuaded and buy the magazine to find out, whereas an active audience would be aware that in terms of soaps and there conventions, that Stacey and Bradley will not have a magical Christmas.

Being a front cover, the magazine uses advertising techniques in order to attract and persuade the audience to buy there product. The front cover uses the price ‘80p’ twice on the front cover. One is positioned at the top of left corner of the magazine, above the masthead ‘TV Choice’. The second is positioned bellow the magazine title and is large and bold with a bright orange star so when the audience look at the cover they cannot miss the price. The repetition of the price ‘80p’ shows how the magazine is putting emphasis on the price and how cheap it is in order to sell it. Both prices have flattering words around them. Words such as ‘only’, which again demonstrates how cheap the magazine is and ‘big value’ illustrates the idea of value for money. A passive audience would be easily persuaded and think they are getting value for money, whereas an active audience would be aware that if you buy ‘The Sun’ newspaper for 20p you will get a TV guide with the newspaper .

The cover has used a Christmas theme. Christmas is a time of happiness and this is portrayed through Stacey and Bradley who are both smiling. The magazine’s front cover uses many Christmas themes and icons to illustrate Christmas. The words ‘Merry Christmas’ are in large, bold, red font across the bottom of the cover. This sends the message to the audience that the ‘TV Choice’ company are wishing the audience a Merry Christmas. Also the use of snow covering the words Merry Christmas and the ‘TV Choice’ title also reinforce this. Other icons such as a Robin (a small songbird) next to the title and a holly connote Christmas. In addition, the bells positioned on the top right corner could illustrate that it’s that time of year again as Christmas is a yearly celebration.

Every year during Christmas time, TV channels broadcast soaps, Christmas films and many ‘family favourites’. ’14 day guide to Christmas TV’, situated at the top of the front cover in large bold yellow font illustrates that there is a lot on TV this Christmas. TV guide magazines usually give the TV listings over the following 7 days, so the magazine emphasises the ’14 day guide’.
The words ‘All your family favourites!’ not only show that Christmas involves love and family, but also the use of the words ‘all your’ and ‘favourites’ demonstrates that shows that are shown yearly are all back on the TV screen. One example of show that could be a traditional Christmas favourite is the Christmas film ‘Scrooge’, which is shown every year, or the famous animation classic ‘The Snowman’, with the boy’s snowman coming to life and the famous song ‘Walking in the air’ song. The use of the world family also illustrates that Christmas is also a time of family and family traditions. The front cover has stars and snowflakes all over the cover to have a Christmas theme and to attract its audience to buy the magazine.

To conclude, the cover has used the main big TV show of Christmas ‘Eastenders’ and the characters Stacey and Bradley to sell the magazine as audiences would be aware of the couple being involved in a big plot. Also using advertising techniques such as lots of bright colours, flattering words and emphasises of ‘80p’ being cheap and good value, the magazine is using to sell the front cover to sell. Finally the magazine also uses icons and images of Christmas as it sold at Christmas time. The Christmas theme represents the current time of the year.